prospectus 2013

Wade Deacon High School

Founded

'A Commitment to Excellence'

Executive Principal: Mrs P A Wright OBE, FRSA

Birchfield Road CampusBirchfield Road, Widnes, WA8 7TD

Telephone: 0151 423 2721E-mail: [email protected]: www.wadedeacon.co.uk

Innovation Enterprise Academy

1507

£26m new facilities opened Easter 2013


Copyright © 2013, Wade Deacon High School


Wade DeaconHigh School

Students make an outstanding contribution to the school and local community.

Ofsted Report March 2011

Dear Parents

Wade Deacon High School is dedicated to offering your son or daughter a very high quality education within a

well-disciplined and pleasant school environment. We provide the very best in traditional education, such as a smart school uniform and high standards of behaviour, with a modern curriculum in an atmosphere of respect. This is delivered using up to date equipment and teaching methods to fully prepare your child for the challenges of the future. Our ‘commitment to excellence’ began more than 500 years ago, when the original grammar school was founded in 1507. The school was renamed in 1931 after Sir Henry Wade Deacon, a prominent local industrialist. Since the introduction of comprehensive co-education in 1974 our reputation for excellence has grown locally and nationally. Wade Deacon High School currently operates in stunning new premises on Birchfield Road, with a first class learning environment and facilities to rival any school in the country.

EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL’S

INTRODUCTION

We believe in giving every child the opportunity to develop his or her talents to the full and we expect every student to work very hard in order to achieve this. We are committed to an exceptional education where tradition is respected and innovation is encouraged.

We want your child to flourish and to grow in resilience, courage, and optimism, as well as achieving their personal best in examination successes. We also trust that in their time with us, your child will have further developed their self-confidence, their respect for others and their ability to work both independently and with other people. We measure our achievements through theirs.

Yours sincerely,

Pamela Wright OBEExecutive Principal and National Leader of Education

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Outstanding teaching and a very rich curriculum combine to ensure that students’ learning is outstanding.


Executive Principal Pamela Wright, Chair of Governors John Woodroofe and representative from each year group.

INNOVATION ENTERPRISE ACADEMY

SCHOOLETHOS

Wade Deacon High School converted to ‘academy’ status in April 2013,

founding the Innovation Enterprise Academy trust. This status was adopted because of our quest to continually improve the quality of learning and teaching for the benefit of all students.

In addition, we are committed to training and the life-long learning of all our members of staff and the community. Students and staff work side-by- side with the latest technological developments to enhance further the quality of our teaching and learning.

We help students to develop real life solutions to real life problems, using industry standard equipment to achieve their goals.

As a major contributor to the concept of lifelong learning, we are a school that makes a difference within our community. We achieve this by engaging in collaborative projects with our community partners and sharing our resources with them.

T hroughout school, students are encouraged to take pride in

themselves, their actions and their achievements. We have high expectations of students’ academic work and the manner in which they conduct themselves around the school campus and in the community beyond. An orderly and disciplined environment is a key feature of our work in school.

The success of this is based on promoting and maintaining excellent standards of self-discipline, school uniform and the promotion of a sense of pride and belonging to our school.

High levels of attendance are expected throughout each year in school so that everyone can take full advantage of the range of curricular and extracurricular opportunities available.

Levels of attainment are most easily raised when students attend all lessons, allowing continuity of the teaching and learning environment.

Regular extended learning is an integral part of the learning culture of the school. Tasks set are intended to broaden and develop an individual’s scope for independent learning as well as reinforcing work completed during the school day. The monitoring of this takes place via Learning Journals, which are maintained by the student and checked by parents and teachers.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

At Wade Deacon, every child matters. We pride ourselves on the provision

of personalized learning, striving at all times to ensure that every child either achieves or exceeds their potential. Therefore, we provide a variety of curriculum pathways to suit abilities, talents and needs, wherever and whenever possible.

From Year 7 to Year 11, every child’s Progress to Success is continually assessed. Four times a year and at the end of each year, their progress and attainment is evaluated and reviewed so that they are placed in the most appropriate pathway for their GCSEs. Every child is different. Therefore, to provide a flexible personalized curriculum, every child will begin their GCSE courses in Year 9. Some students will take their GCSE subjects over 3 years, others may be fast tracked over two years and extend their learning in Year 11 through the offer of a variety of other options to prepare them for Further Education. Most students will have a combination of both depending on their specific talents, gifts, abilities and needs.

From Year 7, in most subject areas, students are placed into sets according to their KS2 scores. However, in Year 7, this is not finalized until after the first half term; this enables the school to obtain all the necessary information regarding the progress of your child.

There are three curriculum pathways that run from Year 7 to Year 11: the Success Pathway, the Creative Pathway and the Baccalaureate Pathway.

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THE FOUNDATION STAGE

We believe that the Foundation Stage in Years 7 and 8 is crucial to your child’s success in later life. This stage in your child’s education is designed to teach them the skills that are crucial, not just for excellent grades, but for an excellent life. Therefore, your child will be prepared, academically and socially during this time to enable them to achieve their potential in their GCSE years.

We will build on the skills of literacy, numeracy, interpretation, deduction, analysis and evaluation to create learners who are independent and can approach their studies with sophistication, creativity and originality.

Every child in the Success Pathway receives personalized and small group learning to ensure that they have the necessary literacy and numeracy skills for life. In Year 7 and Year 8, they will study most of their subjects together in a caring, learning environment where they feel safe and confident enough to participate. The aim is to ensure that by Year 9, students can access the GCSE curriculum and achieve success.

If your child is in the Success Pathway in Year 7 and Year 8, then s/he will study all the subjects below, except that History, Geography and R.E. will be built into a thematic scheme of work that focuses on literacy and numeracy skills. As the aim is to build literacy skills, the Success Pathway will not study French.

In Success Pathway: Years 7 & 8, your child will study:

• English with Drama• Mathematics• Science• Humanities (themed approach)• Design, Music & Technology• ICT and Careers Education• Physical Education• Art• Personal, Social & Health Education• Citizenship & Enterprise

SUCCESS PATHWAY

Students develop into mature, well-rounded young people who work hard and enjoy all that the school has to offer them.


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The school successfully fosters in its students extremely positive attitudes to learning.


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Success Pathway KS4: Y9, Y10 & Y11.

Students in the Success Pathway will follow a very varied and personalized curriculum that enables them to achieve at least 5 good GCSEs at A*-C grades based on their talents, gifts, abilities and needs. In addition, they will take a variety of other qualifications that are built around life skills, leadership and future careers such as college courses and The Duke of Edinburgh Award. They will be able to take advantage of an intensive and aspirational Careers’ Programme which will support them into Further Education and/or the world of work. As a minimum, students will study the following courses*:

Success PathwayCompulsory Courses

• English GCSE• Mathematics GCSE• Personalized Life Skills course,

(equivalent up to 2 GCSEs at grade B).

• A personalized GCSE Physical Education course (either BTEC Sport; P.E. GCSE or Dance)

• Science BTEC (equivalent to 2 GCSEs)

• ICT GCSE

Success PathwayOption Pool: students select from:

• Art• Business• Drama • Design and Technology GCSE• Food Technology GCSE

Success PathwayCompulsory Non-Exam Courses

• Citizenship & Enterprise• Personal, Social, Health, Economic &

Religious Education • Careers

*the selection of courses may change owing to new developments in qualifications over time.

Ofsted (March 2011) said:

“The outstanding curriculum is exceptionally well matched to students’ needs from the moment they join the school in Year 7. Excellent transition arrangements mean that the school has ample information about students’ learning so additional support is provided immediately in literacy and numeracy for those who need it.”

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The English Baccalaureate is a highly academic set of GCSE qualifications designed by the Government. Students in this pathway, in the Foundation Stage, study the following subjects:

• English with Drama• Mathematics• Science• History*• Geography*• Design & Technology• Physical Education• Art• French• ICT and Careers Education• Citizenship & Enterprise• Personal, Social & Health Education

*Religious Education is embedded into the History and Geography curriculum.

If your child is keen and enthusiastic about music and would like to learn to play a musical instrument, then the school will offer this provision which will be timetabled during the school day or during Period 6 after school. If this option is chosen, please be aware that the school would appreciate your support in ensuring that 100% of the peripatetic lessons are attended and that your child will be expected to perform, with others, at a variety of school events.

Ofsted (March 2011) said:

“At Key Stage 4, students follow a range of pathways, including vocational courses, which are very well tailored to their needs and aspirations.”

CREATIVE & BACCALAUREATE

PATHWAYS

Baccalaureate Pathway KS4: Years 9, 10 and 11.

To achieve the English Baccalaureate qualification, a learner must attain A*-C grades in the following GCSE subjects:

• English Language• Mathematics• Science• History or Geography• A Modern Foreign Language

Other compulsory courses are:

• Physical Education• GCSE ICT• PSHE and Citizenship & Enterprise

(non-exam)

Therefore, all those students who are in the Baccalaureate Pathway will have good literacy and numeracy skills and continue to study the GCSE subjects above from Year 9.

Science:

All students will be taught discrete Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons, and will be entered for Double or Triple Award Science following a review of their progress. All students will study a Science course that will allow them to attain at least 2 GCSEs in this subject.

Physical Education:

All students will take a qualification in Physical Education and this will be personalized to maximize your child’s strengths in this area. All students will experience a variety of sports such as rock climbing, swimming, table tennis, judo and the more traditional sports of netball, rounders, football and rugby. In addition, some students will take a Leadership Award.

Options:

Students will be able to choose one option from a variety of courses* such as:

• Art• Business Studies• Computer Science• Drama• German• Design & Technology • Food Technology

*Course options may change owing to new developments in qualifications and courses over time.

Creative Pathway KS4: Years 9, 10 and 11.

Those students who find the literacy skills required for English and French GCSEs will not study French and will not be guided towards Geography or History. Instead, they will be provided with the opportunity to have additional English and Mathematics lessons to maximise their success in these subjects.

Creative Pathway compulsory courses;

• English Language• Mathematics• Biology• Chemistry• Physics• Physical Education• ICT

Options:Students will be able to choose two options from a variety of courses* such as:

• Art• Business Studies• Drama• Design & Technology • Food Technology

*Course options may change owing to new developments in qualifications and courses over time.

We operate a two-week timetable, with 25 lessons in a week and 5 lessons in each day. Your child may also choose to take advantage of the extra-curricular activities that are on offer in Period 6 after school, whether that be Mandarin, Music, Physical Education or any one of the plethora of activities that take place.

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Students behaviour is considerate, polite and courteous and their attendance is high.


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Students make outstanding progress to reach high standards.Ofsted Report March 2011

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Students say they are valued and have equal opportunities to participate and succeed.


For those students designated as having special educational needs, there is a

network of support systems across the whole curriculum. Wherever possible, students work in mainstream classes with support, but facilities are provided for short-term individual withdrawal when appropriate. The school has a Unit for Hearing Impaired students who receive in-class support and the technological back-up facilities to help them overcome their impairment. Emphasis is again on mainstream integration with a programme of withdrawal for intensive individual language and speech work.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL

NEEDS

PASTORAL CARE

The general welfare of students is closely monitored by the Personal

Tutor and Progress Leader. The Year 7 tutor team will remain with their tutor groups throughout five years and are the main point of reference for parents when contacting school.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT

The success we achieve in the classroom is enhanced by a wide

range of enrichment courses which are made available to all students. We encourage everyone to use part of their recreation time for participation in one or more of these opportunities. Clubs and societies, clinics and extra classes are all designed to broaden the experiences of our young people outside of their compulsory curriculum diet.

SPORT & RECREATION

A full range of individual and team games is offered to boys and girls

of all age groups and abilities, with team games represented in District and County competitions. Recreation activities such as fitness programmes, self-defence classes, swimming and aerobics are available to complement the full range of competitive team sports.

We continue a long and successful tradition of Outdoor Education with students involved in sailing, canoeing, climbing and abseiling. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

We have established close relationships with No.12 School

and No.1 School in Tongling, China and Gifu Business and Technical College in Japan. Our relationships with these schools have been particularly worthwhile, with our students learning about other cultures through a number of collaborative projects. Students from all schools have enjoyed lessons taught by teachers participating in an exchange programme.

INTERNATIONALLINKS

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We believe that much of our academic success can be attributed to the secure and supportive framework that our pastoral system provides for all students. By feeling comfortable in their daily work where they are free from any interruptions, students can concentrate 100% on fulfilling their true academic potential.

We believe it is important to celebrate the success of our pupils at every

opportunity. Systems of reward and praise

REWARD SYSTEMS

A variety of instrumental bands, orchestras and a choir are key

features of our musical arrangements. Performances are given throughout the year at a variety of events.

As drama and dance continue to grow in popularity within the curriculum, a variety of extra-curricular performances have resulted, In recent years we have produced versions of Willy Russell’s ‘Our Day Out’, Michelle Magorian’s ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ and students have danced at the O2 Arena in London‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ and pupils have danced at the O2 Arena in London.

CREATIVE ARTS

Students have the opportunity to participate in local and foreign

residential activities. These include venues such as:

• Colomendy Activity Centre• Cultural visits to Paris, London and

Venice• Exchange visits to Tongling, China

and Gifu, Japan• Skiing and snowboarding in the French

Alps, USA and Canada• Outdoor pursuits in the Ardèche,

France and Mount Famau, North Wales

RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCES

PARENTAL SUPPORT

The successful partnership between parents, students and teachers is a

major contributing factor to the success of Wade Deacon. As parents you are kept continually informed about your child’s progress throughout the year. You will receive regular information about academic progress including a full written report and are given the opportunity to discuss the progress of your son or daughter with the teaching staff at a Parents’ Evening once during each academic year. We actively encourage all parents to contact us at any time to discuss a potential problem or concern they may have.

By telephoning the school in advance, an appointment can be made to meet the appropriate member of staff, as soon as possible.

Students have timetabled lessons throughout Years 9 -11 covering a

full range of topics helping them to make informed decisions about the choices available to them on leaving school at the end of Year 11.

Included in this programme are work related learning, careers conventions and help and advice from a network of local employers.

CAREERS, WORK RELATED

LEARNING & ENTERPRISE

feature highly within the school and acknowledgement is regularly given to those standards of work, effort, behaviour and attendance, which are considered to be excellent. Students’ work is displayed prominently around the school and we regularly report the achievements of our students in the local press and in newsletters available to all parents.

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The school is proactive in identifying areas of potential inequality and taking action to prevent discrimination and promote inclusion.


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Students receive excellent support and guidance as they approach each new stage of their education.Ofsted Report March 2011

We Believe:

- All students are entitled to an educational environment in which their individual abilities and talents are fully developed.

We Provide:

- Quality teaching to the highest standards that produces excellent examination results.

- A caring community spirit with happy and successful students at its centre.

- An environment in which respect, courtesy and integrity towards other people abound.

We Offer:

- A wide range of extra-curricular activities.

- Many opportunities for students to contribute to, and enhance the life of, our wider community.

- A variety of social activities to engage students of different ages, abilities and interests.

IN CONCLUSION

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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this prospectus and the information is accurate at the time of printing.

Wade DeaconHigh School

Students make an outstanding contribution to the school and local community.



Founded


Executive Principal: Mrs P A Wright OBE, FRSA

Birchfield Road CampusBirchfield Road, Widnes, WA8 7TD

Telephone: 0151 423 2721E-mail: [email protected]: www.wadedeacon.co.uk

Innovation Enterprise Academy

1507

£26m new facilities opened Easter 2013


Copyright © 2013, Wade Deacon High School


prospectus 2013

Documents

high quality education

students learning

pleasant school environment

smart school uniform

original grammar school

quality of learning

sir henry wade deacon

high standards of behaviour